But we should accept that
political acts, regardless of
party concerns are, and will
always be, part of the fabric
of St James’
cancer. All these causes
or acts are to a greater
or lesser extent political,
or triggered by a specific
political act or policy.
Should local politicians
comment about our
glorious Squire Ashley’s
attempt to rename the
ground? We accepted all
of these actions, even if
some grew restive with the
17th minute’s applause,
or privately question the
presence of the military, or
the food bank collectors.
Opinion is totally fine of
course. But we should
accept that political
acts, regardless of party
concerns are, and will
always be, part of the
fabric of St James’.
Now for sexuallity. Those
with longer memories will
remember Justin Fashanu
playing for us in a match
at Peterborough. Fashanu
was the first footballer to
be openly gay. Many will
remember he hung himself
over an alleged offence with
a minor. I also remember
our section backed him
and (if my fading memory
serves) sang “sign him up”.
It’s worth remembering
Fashanu was hounded by
the likes of Brian Clough
www.true-faith.co.uk

for his sexuality. That
may have been “back
then” but if there are no
gay footballers currently
prepared to come out in
the top flights of our game
in 2017 have a gander
here then I’d suggest that
seeing LGBT concerns as an
irrelevant part of our match
day experience hides a
darker issue. One other
thing. If (heaven forbid)
there should be no LGBT
flag (50 years after the law
change, remember) then
we should openly call for
betting companies stop
using women’s bodies as
online betting bait. After
all; if a lass wearing a
bikini in an ad tempting
you to bet on the match
isn’t a direct invitation
to engage your sexuality
with football, then what
is? Or is that, somehow,
“different”?

excuse the metaphor.) I’d
wager most of these who
feel someone up are those
who dig the “bants” (and
post irritating fishing rod
or laughing smiley emojis
when someone questions
them, or mawkish pics
of Sir Bob in heaven with
Pav). Maybe we need some
intimidating types to feel
them up and then sneer
and tell them to get over
it if they feel threatened.
Or maybe just ban the
feelers up. Rightly, no one
would countenance the
racism we regularly saw in
the ‘70s-80s at the match
nowadays. No-one should
care if we have a rainbow

flag (and yes; go and make
a hetero flag, why not?).
And no-one should accept
our fellow fans suffer sexual
harassment or violence at
the match, in OUR ground.
We can’t cherry pick the
moral high ground.
Musique
You may be wondering
where have all the music
links gone. Well, I’m happy
to announce that the good
people at true faith have
given me a column over
on the website dedicated
to my sad profession. I’ll
tell you about my favourite
music scenes and you run
away screaming. Deal?

Worse, and related, talking
of lasses. Last season I
remember reading on some
social media accounts
connected with true
faith that women Mags
experienced harassment
at the match. This really
is indefensible IMHO. Lad/
Banter culture has got
to grow a pair. (If you’ll
tf 47